CD-Charts Position 61
Average Rating:

At the Lighthouse

CD-Charts > Music > Live Albums
by: Cannonball Adderley

Release Date June 05, 2001
This live album was recorded at two performances on the same day, so the solid renditions of the quintet's challenging arrangements clearly demonstrate that this was a tight ensemble that didn't need umpteen studio takes to get it right. The solo work is great all around, and the energy level stays high. Only one track of the seven, "Blue Daniel," is laid back.
One of the aspects of Cannonball's playing I've always liked is the way he used the alto's full range rather than relying too heavily on the horn's upper register for impact. His playing here displays this quality along with his characteristic rapid-fire flow of ideas.
Nat Adderley's cornet shines bright on this session. I've always felt that Nat deserved more recognition ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 62
Average Rating:

Live at MCG

CD-Charts > Music > Live Albums
by: The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra

Release Date July 26, 2005
The CHJO is a recent discovery of mine, but its co-leaders (John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton) are well-known in my jazz record libary. I really dig any big-band CD that is recorded live like this one was, and the entire roster of musicians in this band is magnificent.

All 11 tracks are the bomb, but I have to give huge props to Mr. Clayton for his exquisite arco bass solo on "Nature Boy." Also, the original nod to Horace Silver - "Silver Celebration" - it's a swinger!!!

More guys!!!

CD-Charts Position 63
Average Rating:

My Favorite Things: Coltrane at Newport

CD-Charts > Music > Live Albums
by: John Coltrane

Release Date July 03, 2007
All of the music on this collection was previously available except for the 1963 recording of Impressions w/ Roy Haynes (an excerpt was previously available). The recording apparently had some problems with low-end distortion and Jimmy Garrison's bass. Thanks to the digital revolution, the folks at Impulse were able to clean some of it up, but most of Garrison's solo is M.I.A. (you can't hear the edit as far as I can tell).

It certainly is kind of weird hearing Haynes with Trane. Haynes is a very powerful drummer but he still doesn't have that explosiveness we hear when Elvin is behind the kit. Still, it's great stuff. There is an extended duet between Trane and Haynes on the 23+ minute version of Impressions.
My Favorite Things ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 64
Average Rating:

Serenity

CD-Charts > Music > Live Albums
by: Stan Getz

Release Date May 21, 1991
I bought this CD back in the early 90's and have yet to find any album by anyone that can top it. If I had to take one CD to a desert island, this would be it. Stan was the best, and this is his finest overall disk. Kenny, Victor and Rufus are the perfect match. Energy, sublime finesse, gorgeous sound quality, inventive, the right amount of each component that goes into a great jazz album, ahhhhhhh.

CD-Charts Position 65
Average Rating:

Monterey Jazz Festival Live 1964

CD-Charts > Music > Live Albums
by: Thelonious Monk

Release Date August 21, 2007
I just ordered and received this show along with the Miles Davis Monterey 63 title. The performances and sound quality on both of these discs are excellent. Regarding the Monk set, several of the tunes have certainly been featured on other releases, but all around, the set is pretty energetic. On the last two tunes, "Think of One" & "Straight, No Chaser" the Monk quartet is joined by the MJF Workshop featuring trumpets, trombone, reeds, and baritone sax- the big band ensemble arrangements adding some nice color and embellishment to the two aforementioned tunes. This is a nice new collection of unreleased recordings featuring great jazz artists recorded at Monterey on Monterey Jazz Festival Records. This particular title is also another great Monk release and certainly ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 66
Average Rating:

Standards Live

CD-Charts > Music > Live Albums
by: Keith Jarrett Trio

Release Date August 26, 2008
I just ordered and received this show along with the Miles Davis Monterey 63 title. The performances and sound quality on both of these discs are excellent. Regarding the Monk set, several of the tunes have certainly been featured on other releases, but all around, the set is pretty energetic. On the last two tunes, "Think of One" & "Straight, No Chaser" the Monk quartet is joined by the MJF Workshop featuring trumpets, trombone, reeds, and baritone sax- the big band ensemble arrangements adding some nice color and embellishment to the two aforementioned tunes. This is a nice new collection of unreleased recordings featuring great jazz artists recorded at Monterey on Monterey Jazz Festival Records. This particular title is also another great Monk release and certainly ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 67
Average Rating:

Complete Jazz at Massey Hall

CD-Charts > Music > Live Albums
by: Charlie Parker

Release Date April 05, 2004
This concert has the makings of something quite magical. Five of the best bebop musicians ever, taking to the same stage. Unfortunately, it doesn't live up to it's potential. Apparently Bird, Diz, and Powell were all drunk...with Bird being the worst offender. And Diz kept leaving the stage to go watch a big heavyweight boxing match that was being broadcast. Bird also forgot to bring his sax so he was playing a cheap alto borrowed from a local music store. Bud was on leave from a mental institution and required supervision, so he wasn't exactly at his best to start with. Moreover, Bird and Diz left the stage for more than half the concert leaving just a trio performing. Max was impeccables that night, however, playing an amazing set with some powerful solos. Mingus ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 68
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Concert by the Sea

CD-Charts > Music > Live Albums
by: Erroll Garner

Release Date October 25, 1990
Ok, the sound's thin and distant. Other than that, this couldn't be much better.
One of the greats at his greatest, this belongs beside the very best of Powell, Shearing, Peterson, Tatum, and Evans. High praise but not hyperbole; Erroll has The Touch, and imagination for days. Autumn Leaves is almost hilariously florid and supple; he's not afraid to unwind all the way. No one else ever played that chestnut quite like this...
If there's a jazz bar in heaven, Garner takes the happy hour shift.

CD-Charts Position 69
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Cannonball Adderley Quintet in San Francisco

CD-Charts > Music > Live Albums
by: Cannonball Adderley

Release Date March 27, 2007
This is the first in a line of many recordings by the Cannonball Adderley quintet and pretty much sets the pace for the rest of them -- populist jazz, intelligent and modern but also accessible to a broad audience. It's not necessarily the best one, but it's not a bad place to start and few fans of hard bop will be disappointed.

The big hit -- which set the tone for later tunes like "Sack'o'Woe" and "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" -- is Bobby Timmons's gospel-infused "This Here". Again, it's not necessarily the group's best performance in this style, but it is very good. (It's also an interesting contrast to Mingus's "Better Git It in Your Soul" and "Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting".)

The rest of the tunes are not as overtly funky. "Hi Fly" is probably the most famous ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 70
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Forest Flower: Live in Monterey

CD-Charts > Music > Live Albums
by: Charles Lloyd

Release Date August 16, 1994
I just go this in from Charles Lloyd's office.

"The Nobel Committee has requested Charles Lloyd and SANGAM, with Zakir Hussain and Eric Harland to perform during the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo on December 10th."

What a gig!